Lotto Syndicate Scoops Second Largest Win This Year

A syndicate in Co Leitrim collected an €11 million prize on Thursday after having won the second largest lotto win in Ireland this year. The syndicate from the north west collected their cheque for €11,179,621 from the National Lottery headquarters for the lottery that was drawn on Saturday, August 20.

This is the second largest prize won in Ireland this year and the largest prize ever won in Co Leitrim. They won after matching all six numbers, plus the bonus number. The largest prize this year was scooped by a family from Mayo in January for €13,793,435. The largest Lotto win ever in Ireland was won on June 26, 2008 by the Dan Morrissey syndicate in Carlow which won €18,963,441.

Since the Lotto was launched in 1988, Irish players have won a total of €3.4 billion in prizes. There have been twenty jackpot wins of more than €10 million.

A spokesperson for last month’s winning syndicate who wish to remain anonymous, but bought their ticket in the Spar on Main Street in Kinlough, Co Leitrim, said “we’re absolutely delighted. We look forward to good health and happiness.”

Noel McGowan’s Spar has sold winning lottery tickets in the past with two jackpot tickets sold on the same day ten years ago and a €250,000 Lotto Plus 2 ticket sold in October. McGowan says that he has seen a fifty percent increase in business over the last few weeks as Lotto players hope he will be selling another winning ticket soon.

The Irish National Lottery raises money for community projects and individuals in the spheres of welfare, health, youth, culture, national heritage, Irish language, amenities, recreation, sports and arts. To date, they have raised more than €4.7 billion for these causes.